The Daily Countable: Tax Reform Moves Forward

It's been a busy day on the tax reform front in Congress ― let's get you caught up.

One Big Thing

The Senate Finance Committee is continuing to debate amendments to its version of the GOP tax reform plan. A committee vote is expected before the end of the week, and we'll bring you the details once they've wrapped up their work. (One thing that's in the bill: a temporary tax cut for makers of beer, wine, and liquor. Cheers!)

On the Radar

Speaking of taxes, the House passed its version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act today on a 227-205 vote. The Senate's bill is likely to look very different by the time it gets a vote, meaning that there will have to be a conference committee to reconcile the differences between the two bills before it can be signed into law.

Roy Moore, the embattled GOP candidate in Alabama's special election for the Senate seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, is continuing to resist calls to withdraw from the race. That has led some Senate Republicans to say that he should be expelled from the Senate if elected because of alleged sexual misconduct with minors.

Issues to Follow

Orgs to Follow

Until Pres Trump releases his 2015 or 2016 tax returns so the public can see how he and his heirs will benefit, the Senate should absolutely not pass this reform bill. Based on what we know now, Trump and other wealthy individuals and corporations have the most to gain, not the middle class. Vote no in the bill as it stands, please. Do the right thing for the middle class.

The fact that tax reform is not a bi-partisan effort is deplorable and only the GOP is to blame. Funding tax cuts for corporations with cuts in healthcare is unconscionable. There are concerning inclusions to appease special interest groups that are not part of the conversation. The GOP is lying through omission. I’m angered, frustrated and saddened by the lack of ethical behavior of our Congress on this and so many other issues.

So let’s get this straight! The commander in chief gets a billion dollars back between corporation tax cuts and trimming the tax rate at the top, and I lose the only deductions I can claim, state and local taxes. I don’t do the standard deduction, neither do you! But the idiot who is making money hand over fist as governments and secret service use his golf carts, golf courses and hotels, gets a tax break? The groper in chief? Really! And my children no longer get healthcare? You all need to lock him up and get it together! Do NOT vote for this tax bill! This WILL be your last term if you do!

I'm disappointed with the passage of this tax reform bill in the house. So everybody gets a tax cut except the middle class. You act like these tax cuts are so great what a joke. For most people it is a pittance, crumbs off the table of the 1%. You talk about job creation through tax cuts for corporations. Why haven't they created more jobs with the money they get from the obscene profits that they make now. You will not be happy until we end up with the ultra rich and the ultra poor as classes in America. I say get rid of classes all together and start working for the betterment of the poor and middle class. You top 1% have it all and don't need anymore help to perpetuate your sinful greed.

I don't know why this is called tax reform; it's just more money for corporations and the wealthy courtesy of those who earn that money for them by actually working. It sounds like they want to reward people for already having so much. It is a sad day for America

Pennsylvanians will be harmed by this disingenuous tax bill, which is merely a giveaway to the 1%. Corporate America gets permanent tax cuts, while tax cuts for individuals are written in disappearing ink. The Affordable Care Act is gutted, destroying health insurance markets for those least able to afford insurance. Treating tuition subsidies as insurance will destroy the ability of our country to educate the next generation of scientists, engineers, doctors, and teachers. I urge my representatives to treat this bill like the dumpster fire it is!

You cannot and should not vote for this tax plan that will take money from the poor and give it to the rich. Stop being greedy and do what is right. If you are not living paycheck to paycheck like most of us, then you have enough money and can afford to pay more in taxes.

You republicans know no decency..just screw the middle class and poor to ensure the rich and your huge campaign contributors are happy. You are despicable ,money grubbing ,lying ,disgusting morally corrupt whores! This is a TAX SCAM people and we need to raise hell about it with the republicans.

Please look at the harm you would be doing to the vast majority of your constituents and the country if you support this tax legislation. Money has to come from somewhere to support government responsibilities. If you cut taxes to business and the wealthy you have to make that up somewhere. Economics 101. To make up that money on the backs of those who can least afford it is horrible. To irresponsibly raise the deficit is horrible. To sneak in additional legislation concerning abortion rights or immigration issues is sneaky and deplorable. Vote no.

Vote no on the tax "reform." This bill does nothing to resolve the deficit and is so clearly about making wealthy donors happy with tax breaks and cuts while cutting benefits and raising taxes on the poor and middle class. Wealthy donors don't need help. It's those of us in the middle that you should be working for and actually representing.

The way BOTH tax bills are written is to punish States that are heavily democratic and have few republican in Congress!!! This is an attempt by the republicans to gerrymandered future elections by favoring heavily republican States and should be stopped by the SUPREME COURT!!! The democratic States tend to have the highest state and local taxes and would be severely hurt by the subsequent tax plans (increase) on the middle class and poor!!! ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO PIT AMERICANS AGINST EACH OTHER TO UNDERMINE OUR DEMOCRACY!!!! WHY? Because RUSSIA wants it that way!!!!! TRUMP IS BEING LED BY THE NOSE BY PUTIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you can’t see this you’re blind!!!!! Trump - impeachment or Amendment 25, Section 4 NOW!!!!!!!!!